The Model Sufferer October 9
John 18:37
Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Every chapter in The Gospel of John portrays a remarkable aspect of Jesus’s character. Chapter 18 Jesus is pictured as the Model Sufferer. Jesus understood authority. When directly questioned by persons of authority, he answered accordingly, but he remained silent with those who were not in a position of authority.
I notice some attributes of Jesus (to say the least) leading up to this encounter. Jesus didn’t yell at Judas for betraying Him; instead, He pitied Him. The officer of the Chief Priests sucker-punched Jesus, and Jesus took the blow like a boss. How could He have kept His calm temper? One wrong word, and just like Elijah, everyone consumed by fire.
He stood in court for His life and laid no blame on anyone. He took it in silence, a model for us to follow. And if you know me, you know I haven’t always been a model student. But there have been many times I have kept my mouth shut and managed to remain silent.
It’s a level of trust in the Father that we all need to attain. I notice that the big battle usually comes a few hours later or the next day. When my pride swells up, and I start thinking of how I could have handled the situation in a worldly way.
I dub this: “The Consequences of Forgiveness.” The Battle of the Mind is where the enemy comes to rob you of your forgiveness, and it’s at these moments we have to pray and ask God to bless that person, even prosper that person. Yes, that’s hard to pray, especially when we want to see them suffer. But Jesus paid their price too.
He is: Tsad-deek Eh'-bed
Righteous Servant
Blessing’s